The tax-evasion trial of Orlando restaurateur Champ Williams and his family was delayed for a day because Champ's wife remained ill Monday.

Lawyer Harrison Slaughter Jr. said Betty Williams had been sick since Wednesday afternoon and could not help him prepare her defense. However, he said later she would return to court today.

Champ, his wife, son Stephen and daughter Susan Williams Wood are accused of skimming hundreds of thousands of dollars from Orlando International Airport restaurants they operated from 1970 to 1981.

As the trial was about to enter its sixth full week of testimony Monday, Slaughter asked Judge James Watson to postpone the trial for up to two days so Betty, 71, could recuperate. Slaughter said the woman had complained of chest pains during the past week and said doctors found that her resting heartbeat was twice the normal rate and that her lungs had fluid in them.

Champ, 75, also was taken ill last Wednesday with breathing problems and missed one day of court.

When pressed by Watson, Slaughter said he refused to waive his client's appearance as he had done Wednesday afternoon and Thursday. Slaughter insisted his client needs to attend court to hear key defense witnesses and strongly hinted that Mrs. Williams may testify in her own behalf later this week.

Watson, a U.S. Court of International Trade judge from New York who was assigned to hear the case, then voiced his displeasure over delays in the trial, which started with jury selection May 18.

He complained that the trial, which had been scheduled to last up to six weeks, was already in its eighth week and had inconvenienced jurors far longer than expected. He also said it was ruining his schedule for other cases he must hear.

''I have other things to do,'' Watson said.

At one point, Watson even suggested videotaping the proceedings and letting Mrs. Williams watch them at night to keep up with the trial. But he finally relented to Slaughter's request after considering the age and health of Mrs. Williams. The judge also said he was considering holding court Saturday and Sunday to make up for lost time.

Defense attorneys said they hope to wrap up their case by the end of this week. Closing arguments are scheduled for next week.

By late Monday afternoon, Slaughter said his client would be in court today. He said she had more tests Monday and will be on medication when she returns.

''She doesn't want to hold the trial up anymore,'' Slaughter said. ''She's under medication and she's not 100 percent, but she'll be there.''